F1: Karthikeyan Denies Apologizing To Vettel

Formula 1

F1: Karthikeyan Denies Apologizing To Vettel

Narain Karthikeyan says he has no reason to apologize to Sebastian Vettel for their run-in in Malaysia...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted April 14, 2012 GMM Newswire

Narain Karthikeyan spent 2012 with HRT. (Photo: Getty Images)

Narain Karthikeyan has firmly denied World Champion Sebastian Vettel's claim he apologized for their recent clash in Malaysia.

After being shown the middle finger by Germany's top driver, and called a "cucumber" and "idiot," Indian backmarker Karthikeyan sat down for a lengthy interview with the major daily Bild-Zeitung.

"What?" Karthikeyan gasped when told Vettel had told reporters he had been apologized to.

"We happened to meet here outside of the paddock and we talked about it. But it was a normal racing incident, so why should I apologize?"

Karthikeyan was also asked about Vettel's insults, and the television footage that depicted the Red Bull driver showing him the middle finger — twice.

"As a driver you always need to have respect. I saw it (the middle finger) later on TV. But I'm used to it in India. It's not nice but we all have emotions.

"Cucumber? I don't know that as an insult.

"It's all OK now and I hope it will be for the rest of the season. There is no bad blood," he insisted.

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